The Chinese military’s Eastern Theatre Command in a 5am statement said the “Joint Sword-2024B” drills were taking place in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, south and east of Taiwan, Reuters reported.
“The drill also serves as a stern warning to the separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces. It is a legitimate and necessary operation for safeguarding state sovereignty and national unity,” it said in a statement carried both in Chinese and English.
The Chinese military said a carrier formation was operating to the east of Taiwan.
Taiwan’s defence ministry expressed its strong condemnation of China’s “irrational and provocative act”, adding it had dispatched its own forces.
Mr Lai’s national day speech highlighted the current state of cross-strait relations and the firm will to safeguard peace and stability and advocated future cooperation in coping with challenges like climate change, the ministry added.
“The Chinese communist’s claim of ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’ is a complete departure from the truth,” it added.
China’s held the “Joint Sword-2024A” drills for two days around Taiwan in May shortly after Mr Lai took office, saying they were “punishment” for separatist content in his inauguration speech.